Latest update: 07/02/2011 

- development - France - poverty - USA


Fighting hunger: patent battle for life-saving product

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

There’s a legal battle brewing over a food product that’s been billed as a miracle cure for starving children. Two American not-for-profit organisations are asking a court to lift the patent held by a French company. They say it hinders their efforts to save lives. But the French firm is fighting back, saying it’s only protecting the interests of developing nations.

BEYOND BUSINESS
By Markus KARLSSON
Slideshow: Behind the scenes
Digital DNA : Keeping track of music in the internet age
11/05/2013 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Digital DNA : Keeping track of music in the internet age

The face of the global music industry is changing. Sales of CDs are tumbling as more people are either downloading or streaming their music from the internet. But as music goes online... it's become harder to track who's listening to what, when they do it, and who should get paid for it. It's sparked a push to create a 'Global Repertoire Database'. It's meant to be a one-stop shop with detailed information on songs and who owns the right to them.
Talking Telecoms: are concerns over China's rising giants overdone?
20/04/2013 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Talking Telecoms: are concerns over China's rising giants overdone?

Does the world trust China, and does the world trust Chinese companies? In this edition, we're honing in on the telecoms sector where two Chinese companies, Huawei and ZTE, are emerging as forces to be reckoned with. Their rise is controversial and it has sparked security concerns in the West. Lawmakers in France and the United States suspect the company of being close to China's Communist party and military.
Money and diplomacy: France flexes its muscles to boost trade
06/04/2013 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Money and diplomacy: France flexes its muscles to boost trade

In this edition we look at how governments are flexing their diplomatic muscle to champion companies abroad. France's foreign minister calls it "economic diplomacy", and he's pushing it as a priority for the French diplomatic corps. These days, when presidents and prime ministers travel abroad, they usually have businessmen and women in tow. But that's only the tip of the iceberg, as our report from Ethiopia shows.
France & Finance: will Paris remain a trading hub?
23/03/2013 - BEYOND BUSINESS

France & Finance: will Paris remain a trading hub?

Is Paris losing its status as a financial hub? The world of finance is seen to be in a consolidation phase. Only a handful of cities are emerging as a trading centre, and there are fears here in France that this is one race Paris won't win. It comes as European politicians are beefing up regulation, and as stock market operators are merging into fewer and fewer players.
Can Europe keep its solar power industry alive?
09/03/2013 - BEYOND BUSINESS

Can Europe keep its solar power industry alive?

It may have been billed as an energy source for the future, but hopes that solar power would become a money-spinner and a stable source of growth have taken a hit. Several European solar panel makers have gone under in recent years.

React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(0) Reactions
Read more
Close